Historic Vancouver mansion Casa Mia could become seniors home

Public hearing on rezoning the 1930's mansion has been postponed

Plans to turn one Vancouver's most lavish and historic mansions into a seniors care home have been postponed while the city and developer finalize an agreement to secure heritage status for the unprotected building.

The Casa Mia, located at 1920 SW Marine Drive, is one of the most storied homes in the city.

Built in 1930 by George C. Reifel, the 21,000-square-foot Spanish Revival mansion boasts elaborate woodwork, enormous windows and vaulted ceilings.

There is also a nursery said to be painted by Disney artists, and a golden ballroom with a bouncing dance floor like the Commodore Ballroom, which was also built by Reifel.

The March 13 public hearing to rezone the property has been delayed by the City of Vancouver until the heritage agreement has been finalized. (Margaret Gallagher)

Current owners Maureen McIntosh and Lynne Aarvold of the Care Group want to convert the property to a long-term seniors care home for 62 residents, but the proposed development has been met with neighbourhood opposition.

The majority of the residents would live in a 23,000-square-foot, two-storey building connected to the main house, which would be used for care and as communal living space.

"We thought it was a great place for care," said spokesman Gavin McIntosh.

As part of the proposal, the original Casa Mia mansion would be granted heritage status. It is currently not designated as a heritage building and could be demolished by a developer seeking to capitalize on the prime Fraser River waterfront.

"We really like the house and thought it would be an opportunity to create something in the city that was special for care."

McIntosh says the original house would remain largely as it is, and its expansive rooms and open spaces are ideal for people getting around in wheelchairs and walkers.

Rezoning hearing postponed

The city had scheduled a public hearing on March 13 to spot-rezone the property from single family dwelling to comprehensive development.

But on March 12, the city postponed the hearing because staff were unable to finalize the legal agreement securing heritage status with the owner in time.

A new date for the public hearing will be scheduled once the agreement is finalized, said a statement on the city website.